Former street vendor cashes in on ampalaya-based supplements

MANILA, Philippines — We may recognize her as the Filipina who broke the Guinness record for creating the world’s largest flag or the former fishball and gulaman vendor who tasted the sweet taste of success selling bitter herbs.

Success, however, did not come easy to Grace Gupana, who has to work her way through  a small business after graduating from college.

“I worked as a food peddler on the streets. But since I was an artist, I created and supplied Christian greeting cards with verses from the Bible. I also ventured into making woodcrafts and gift items. I eventually owned a restaurant and a Christian bookstore,” she said.

While it seemed like an easy road to success, Gupana and her family had to take a hard detour during the 1990s.

“I got bankrupt when I gave birth to premature twins.  They had to be taken to three different hospitals, while I had a hard time recovering from a difficult pregnancy,” she said.

The hospital bill for the twins’ medication reached P25,000 per day, taking almost all of the family’s money.

“Starting again wasn’t easy, since I was once a manager and proprietor of two restaurants and a bookstore,” she admitted. “Eventually, I stood up and went back to business because that is what I know. With a small cart and P800 in capital, I sold fish balls and squid balls outside the Quezon City Hall,” she said.   

Aside from her flavorful sauce, Gupana had one more secret to another humble yet successful business: she treats her customers fairly because she knows that in the eyes of God, all are equal.

Path to success

After getting back on track, Gupana told The STAR how hard she prayed for God’s guidance because street vending, aside from being too taxing, was not enough  to support her family. Like an answered prayer, Gupana met an African-American herbalist who introduced her to the  natural healing benefits of ampalaya or bitter gourd.

After a year of research at the University of the Philippines and a $5,000 seed capital,  Gupana was able to develop an all-natural and organic food supplement.

With the creation of ABS Gen (Active Bitter Supplement for All Generations) Herbs, Gupana had to start all over again. She went back to the streets to introduce the bitter herbs, a difficult beginning she had to endure once more.

“I went back to peddling, but this time for ABS 7 Bitter veggies capsule and Ampalaya CharaGen tea and capsule. At first, some declined the product. However, there were also some who tried the bitter herbs because they were interested or familiar with it. Then, I received a lot of positive feedback and got featured on TV. That was the ‘big bang’ for ABS Herbs,” she said.

In the early days of the ampalaya craze, Gupana said people endured long lines in front of their building in Quezon City just to secure a box of their herbal products.

“The products we produce in one day would be sold in less than three hours the following day,” she said while recalling the peak days of their business. “We were all very busy and tired.”

“Also, I only thought of profit and earning,” she said.

A Department of Health (DOH) circular, however, brought her back to her senses and made her remember the true purpose of her company.

In 2003, the DOH classified the vegetable as a folklorically-validated herbal medicinal plant, causing a decline in the interest for the product.

“I know that that is the will of the Lord. I believe that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” she said.

In 2007, the DOH issued a circular reinstating ampalaya as a scientifically validated herbal medicinal plant. With the  new circular, the DOH threw out a circular issued in 2003 by then health secretary Manuel Dayrit that classified ampalaya as a folklorically-validated herbal medicinal plant.

Vision and mission

“ABS Gen Herbs was born with a vision and  a mission. I am just a messenger and an advocate,” Gupana said, adding that ABS Gen Herbs would remain strong because of God’s guidance and graces.

“As a steward and as president of the ABS Gen Herbs International Corp. and Philherbs Nutraceuticals Laboratories Co., my manual is the Bible. Also, this company is not a man-pleaser, and even if people don’t believe everything, what matters is that we please God,” Gupana said.

Gupana is  devoting most of  her time nurturing her business and working as faithful  follower of God’s words. She has also become an advocate of promoting and spreading wholistic wellness through the Jerusalem Holistic Healing Center and the Jerusalem Museum of Asia in Quezon City.

Today,  ABS Gen Herbs is one of the leading players in the local organic and herbal supplement industry. The company  is also the producer of Ashitaba Tea and Capsule, 7 Bitter Herbs Forte Capsule, 7 Bitter Herbs Capsule, Serpentina Capsule, Malunggay or Moringa Capsule, Guyabano Capsule, CharaGen Ampalaya, Kolestrim Capsule, Lagundi Tea, Sambong Tea, CharaGen Ampalaya Tea, and Grace Virgin Coconut Oil.

Jerusalem Holistic Healing Center is located at 115 PG Tower, Malakas St., Quezon City. For free medical consultation with Dr. Maria Salud Sison, nutritional oncologist, the center is open every Tuesday and Friday at 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. Jerusalem of Museum of Asia is open every Monday and Tuesday at 2-5 p.m. To reserve a slot for a tour, call (0995) 835-0777.